Commack Takes First Place In National Science League Competitions

By Brenda Lentsch

All three grades at Mandracchia Sawmill Intermediate School in Commack took first place in the National Science League competitions this year. The National Science League is offered as a school wide enrichment club, and offers students a hands-on, guided inquiry approach. The science process skills of experimentation, observation, measurement, and reasoning from evidence are emphasized. The goal of the club is to provide an opportunity for the students to further explore science topics generally covered in the intermediate science curriculum, as well as to develop science literacy essential for life as effective, productive citizens in the 21st century.

Grade 3 students were the highest scoring school out of 50 nationwide, grade 4 scored higher than 82 schools, and grade 5, higher than 112 other schools. The students met weekly to participate in scientific discovery activities, and the final meet is a highly standardized process. Students in grades 3 and 4 work independently, using only paper and pencil to answer 35 multiple choice questions in 35 minutes.  Grade 5 must answer 40 questions within the same time frame.  The top 10 scores for the meet on each grade level constitute the team’s score.

Club advisors Michelle Goldstein and Lindsey Persichilli were especially thrilled to announce that the following students are also First Place National Student Award winners:

Grade 3-Max Cantley and Melina Nicou

Grade 4-Gavin Cressy, Kierra Spahn, Emma Hearns, and joshua Brodsky

Grade 5- Louis Viglietta and Marina Kahn

 Photo Top: Individual first place winners hold their medals, with Assistant Principal Evelyn Cardenas-Smith, Club Advisor Michelle Goldstein, and Principal Michelle Tancredi.

Image above – Third, fourth and fifth grade National Science League teams.